Antecedents and Consequences of Organizational Politics: a Study of the Public Sector Organizations of Pakistan
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Antecedents and Consequences of Organizational Politics: A Study of the Public Sector Organizations of Pakistan By Adnan Riaz A research thesis submitted to the Department of Management & Social Sciences, Mohammad Ali Jinnah University, Islamabad in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN MANAGEMENT SCIENCES (HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT) DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT & SOCIAL SCIENCES MOHAMMAD ALI JINNAH UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD NOVEMBER 2013 Antecedents and Consequences of Organizational Politics: A Study of the Public Sector Organizations of Pakistan By Adnan Riaz A research thesis submitted to the Department of Management & Social Sciences, Mohammad Ali Jinnah University, Islamabad in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN MANAGEMENT SCIENCES (HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT) DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT & SOCIAL SCIENCES MOHAMMAD ALI JINNAH UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD NOVEMBER 2013 Copyright© 2013 by Mr. Adnan Riaz All rights are reserved. No part of the material protected by this copy right notice may be reproduced or utilized in any form or any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the permission from the author. DEDICATION To my loving father You encouragement and support motivated me to start this program. To my praiseworthy mother ‘Your prayers are the basic reason behind this achievement’ To my supportive wife ‘Your support and facilitation helped me to complete this dissertation well in time’ To my loving children ‘you are the colors of my life’ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A thesis is a complicated piece of work that requires the support and direction of key individuals. The process I have taken to create and complete this thesis has provided me with a platform to better understand my capabilities and skills both personally and academically. This journey of research would not have been fulfilled without the guidance and support of several individuals. I was fortunate enough to have the support and guidance of some very special people throughout this research and I would like to acknowledge their contributions. My deepest appreciation and gratitude to my father who not only encouraged me to initiate PhD programe but also extended every possible support at each stage. To me, you deserve the credit for all what I have achieved in my life and what I aspire. I acknowledge with gratitude the dedication, direction and support of Dr. Aisha Akbar my supervisor. Her dedication has been great throughout the entire PhD Programme and her support is deeply appreciated. I would like to articulate my gratitude to Dr. Khurram Shahzad and Dr. Amir Shah. Your efforts really helped me to enhance the quality of manuscript. Many thanks to my brother Mr. Adeel Riaz and Mr. Salman Ali for their constant encouragement and motivation. I am very thankful to the individuals helped me in data collection especially Mr. Hammad Saleem, Mr. Kamran Yar and Mr. Muhammad Jamil who gave their time and energies to complete this task. Finally, I express my gratitude thank you to my family for the support throughout the past three years of the study. I am very lucky and fortunate to have parents who showed their support on every step of the way and for that I thank them. (ADNAN RIAZ) TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 ...............................................................................................................................1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................1 1. Background of the Study .........................................................................................................1 1.1 Problem Statement ........................................................................................................4 1.2 Rationale of the Study ...................................................................................................7 1.3 Cultural Context of the Research ...................................................................................8 1.4 Competitive Perspectives in understanding Cultural Perspective ................................. 10 1.5 Research Questions ..................................................................................................... 11 1.6 Research Objectives .................................................................................................... 12 1.7 Significance of the Study ............................................................................................ 12 CHAPTER 2 ............................................................................................................................. 14 LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................................... 14 2.1 History of Organizational Politics ................................................................................... 14 2.1.1 Defining Organizational Politics .............................................................................. 16 2.1.2 Organizational Politics as a Productive Function ..................................................... 18 2.1.3 Perspectives on Organizational Politics.................................................................... 20 2.2 Nature and Characteristics of the Public Sector ............................................................... 23 2.2.1 External Political Influences in Public Sector........................................................... 26 2.2.2 Public Sector of Pakistan ......................................................................................... 28 2.2.3 Political Behavior and Perceived Politics in Public Sector ....................................... 30 2.3 Theoretical Foundation of the Study ............................................................................... 35 2.3.1 The Just World Theory ............................................................................................ 35 2.3.2 Social Exchange Theory .......................................................................................... 36 2.4 Antecedents and Consequences of Organizational Politics .............................................. 37 2.4.1 Participation in Decision Making ............................................................................. 37 2.4.1.1 Defining Participation in Decision Making ....................................................... 37 2.4.1.2 Historical Evolution of Participation in Decision Making ................................. 39 2.4.1.3 Antecedents and Consequences of Participation in Decision Making ................ 40 2.4.1.4 Participation in Decision Making and Perception of Politics ............................. 42 2.4.2 Role Conflict and Role Ambiguity ........................................................................... 44 2.4.2.1 Defining Role Conflict and Role Ambiguity ..................................................... 44 2.4.2.2 Historical Evolution of Role, Role Conflict and Role Ambiguity ...................... 47 2.4.2.3 Antecedents and Consequences of Role Conflict and Role Ambiguity .............. 50 2.4.2.4 Role Ambiguity and Role Conflict in relation with Perception of Politics ......... 53 2.4.3 Machiavellianism .................................................................................................... 57 2.4.3.1 Defining Machiavellianism ............................................................................... 57 2.4.3.2 Historical Evolution of Machiavellianism ......................................................... 59 2.4.3.3 Antecedents and Consequences of Machiavellianism ........................................ 61 2.4.3.4 Machiavellianism and Perception of Politics ..................................................... 62 2.4.4 Hirschman’s Exit, Voice, Loyalty and Neglect (EVLN) Theory ............................... 65 2.4.5 Affective Commitment ........................................................................................... 66 2.4.5.1 Defining Organizational Commitment .............................................................. 66 2.4.5.2 Historical Evolution of Affective Commitment................................................. 67 2.4.5.3 Antecedents and Consequences of Organizational Commitment ....................... 70 2.4.5.4 Perception of Politics and Organizational Commitment .................................... 73 2.4.6 Whistle Blowing ...................................................................................................... 74 2.4.6.1 Defining Whistle Blowing ................................................................................ 74 2.4.6.2 Historical Evolution of Whistle Blowing .......................................................... 76 2.4.6.3 Antecedents and Consequences of Whistle Blowing ......................................... 76 2.4.6.4 Perception of Politics and Whistle Blowing ...................................................... 80 2.4.7 Counterproductive Behavior .................................................................................... 82 2.4.7.1 Defining Counterproductive Behavior .............................................................. 82 2.4.7.2 Historical Evolution of Counterproductive Behavior ........................................ 83 2.4.7.3 Antecedents and Consequences of Counterproductive Behavior ....................... 85 2.4.7.4 Perception of Politics and Counterproductive Behavior